a bunch of red rocks

I know, I know.

When you go to Vegas you should gamble, and see shows, a do things that you wouldn't do in the real world. But doesn't visting a National Park count? I know I don't do that every day in Michigan.

Erin and I went to Valley of the Fire. It is pretty cool and a little different than the Midwestern ladnscape.


this formation is called a beehive


high on a rock


hiding out


a long way up



at the top, pictures drawn thousands of years ago

Bugsy's joint

We stayed at the Flamingo, the first hotel ever built on the strip. When we checked in Saturday, we talked up upgrading to one of their fancy rooms but, then, decided against it.

We changed our minds by Saturday morning. Here's a view of a fabo GO room at the Flamingo:



flat screen to watch the nfc championship game

tv in the bathroom mirror

bed with the vinyl headboard, groovy

place to sit

the view from the 21st floor

we're baaaaack

So our trip was to celebrate my birthday, but it was also to celebrate the Beatles.

I started listening to them, I think, because my dad did, although he debates this subject.

I got Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band in the seventh grade, my second cassette ever. My brother got the White Album not long after. When I was a senior in high school I did my term paper on the Beatles.

When I heard their music had been remixed, remastered and turned into a Cirque show, I had to go.

After many years, because Beatles' music is everywhere, in muzac in the mall, elevator, wherever, you forget why you loved them.

I got the Love CD before we went and started to remember what I first found so perfect about the Beatles. The show was amazing. SO COOL.

I'm thirsty, wanna bet?

Why do men pretend to know about women's college basketball? I know men are superior in their sports knowledge (according to them) but on this subject, most do not pay that much attention.

So far this season I have won two Cokes off guys who were sure they knew it all. Michigan State, by the way is good enough to crush Michigan, but no good enough to beat Purdue. They are likely ranked more on reputation than talent, although they do have 6-foot-8 Alyssa DeHaan (above).

Random thoughts

I hate winter. I especially hate ice storms. Branches have fallen from trees all over the neighborhood thanks to the weight of the solid ice. I shook out pieces from a 10-pound bag of salt on the walks today while the below-zero windchill nipped at my ears. I have to find a job in the south.

***

Chris Webber to the Pistons. Great move for him personally. Better move for the Pistons. The deal gives both the chance to win a title. Hey Blue fans, get over it.

***

My birthday is this weekend. 38. What's that pearl Mickey Mantle gave us..."If I'd have known I was going to live this long I would have taken better care of myself."

***

Iowa coach Steve Alford is proving why he shouldn't have been given an extension. First he lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, as a No. 3 seed, to Northwestern State. This season, after a loss to his alma mater Indiana tonight Iowa is 2-2 in the conference and 10-8 overall. The Hawkeyes will never be more than mediocre with him as a coach.

Cleaning house

We have spent the better part of the last two weekends getting the house back in order after the holidays.

We have soooooo much Christmas stuff, it takes a little longer.

Can't wait til Vegas next weekend. NO CLEANING.

Here's a preveiw.

The dreaded wintery mix

Winter is allegedly arriving this weekend with falling temperatures, sleet and snow.

I hate winter.

The upside -- the winter blast has left St. Cloud, Minn., one of my former adresses, with a temperatue of 0 at last check.

It is 32 here, that's freaking balmy by comparison.

Weekend of football a bust

UP NEXT FABULOUS LAS VEGAS




This is one of the greatest, and cheapest, vacations in the world. Erin and I are headed out there in a couple of weeks. Should help us get over the hangover of a disappointing bowl season. Plus the Cowboys, who have failed to win a playoff game in nine years (the Notre Dame of the NFL).

Anyway, Las Vegas for my 38th is a warm-up for what we hope will be a larger group 40th party.

My team sucks

I hope the Cowboys have a great offseason. It's hard to move on in the playoffs with your hands around your neck.

Perhaps Tony Romo should think about calling the league and saying. "Thanks but no thanks for my pro bowl selection. Sorry, I suck."

Just a thought.

Foootball, football, football

This is the the last full weekend of football, college and pro.

For those of you the don't know: I LOVE FOOTBALL

The Cowboys will open my weekend with a wild card game against the Seahawks on Saturday.

Erin's Ohio Bobcats go to their first bowl game since 1968 -- their first in my lifetime -- on Sunday. They face Southern Miss.

Then Erin's other team, Ohio State, will play Florida, for yet another national championship. I used to hate the Buckeyes because I am a Hawkeye. Now, because of the family ties, I have learned to like them. Besides, it isn't too hard to root for a winner.

nice catch

Steve Yzerman's number was retired Tuesday night by the Red Wings, who had a little trouble with spelling in his plaque.

The plaque to commemorate Yzerman's accomplishments reads:
"The consumate (sic) team leader whose name is synonimous (sic) with Detroit Red Wings hockey. Played entire 23-year career in Detroit and is the NHL's all-time longest-serving captain with 20 years wearing the "C". First on club's all-time list in assists (1,063), second in goals (692) and points (1,755) and third in games played (1,514). Made 20 post-season appearances and won three Stanley Cups. Detroit's all-time leader in playoff games played (196), goals (70), assists (115) and points (185). Also led team to five Presidents' Trophies and 12 Division Titles. Named to NHL All-rookie Team (1984) and 10 NHL All-Star games. Awarded Lester B. Pearson Trophy as league MVP (1989), Conn Smythe Trophy as Playoff MVP (1998), Selke Trophy as Best Defensive Forward (2000), Masterton Trophy for Perserverance (sic) (2002) and Lester Patrick Trophy for dedication to U.S. hockey (2006)."

The words "consummate," "synonymous" and "perseverance" were misspelled.

Spellchecker anyone?

sunrise, sunset

I graduated from high school 20 years ago. I know people always say, "Has it been that long?" But, seriously, how can it have been that long ago? I think I will probably try to attend my 20th reunion this summer. Nothing like a trip back to Iowa.

But if I can't make fun of myself....

Here are a couple of snapshots of 1987

freaking basketball star

graduation night with the girls



1987
On the charts
1. Living On A Prayer - Bon Jovi
2. Mony Mony - Billy Idol
3. (I've Had) The Time Of My Life - Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes
4. Lean On Me - Club Nouveau
5. Songbird - Kenny G

Economics
Median Household Income
(current dollars): $26,061
Consumer Price Index: 113.6
Unemployment: 6.2%
Cost of a first-class stamp: $0.22

Sports
Super Bowl: NY Giants def. Denver, 39-20
World Series: Minnesota def. St. Louis, 4 games to 3
NBA: LA Lakers def. Boston, 4 games to 2
Stanley Cup: Edmonton def. Philadelphia 4 games to 3

TV
thirtysomething debuts on ABC

Movies
Moonstruck, Wall Street, The Last Emperor, Fatal Attraction
Academy Award, Best Picture: Platoon


Books
Penelope Lively, Moon Tiger
Toni Morrison, Beloved

Key dates
Jan. 3: Aretha Franklin becomes the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
March 4: President Reagan addresses the American people on the Iran-Contra Affair, acknowledging that his overtures to Iran had 'deteriorated' into an arms-for-hostages deal.
March 7: U2's The Joshua Tree album is released.
March 19: In Charlotte, North Carolina, televangelist Jim Bakker, head of PTL Ministries, resigns after admitting an affair with church secretary Jessica Hahn.
May 8: U.S. Senator Gary Hart drops out of the running for the Democratic presidential nomination, amid allegations of an extra-marital affair with Donna Rice.
June 10: During a visit to Berlin, Germany, U.S. President Ronald Reagan challenges Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall.
June 11: United Kingdom general election, 1987: Margaret Thatcher is elected as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom for the third time.
July 17: The Dow Jones Industrial Average closes above the 2,500 mark for the first time, at 2,510.04.
August 16: Northwest Airlines Flight 255 (a McDonnell Douglas MD-82) crashes on takeoff from Detroit Metropolitan Airport killing all but 1 (4-year old Cecelia Cichan) of the 156 people on-board (among them Nick Vanos, a center for the Phoenix Suns).
September 17: The 200th anniversary of the United States Constitution is celebrated across the country.
October 10: The Reverend Jesse Jackson launches his second campaign for U.S. President.
October 14-October 16: The United States is caught up in a drama that unfolds on television as a young child, Jessica McClure, falls down a well in Midland, Texas, and is later rescued.
November 18: Iran-Contra affair: U.S. Senate and House panels release reports charging President Ronald Reagan with 'ultimate responsibility' for the affair.